MFA Press Statement: Appointment of Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva and Singapore’s Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic

The Government has appointed Ms Karen Tan as Singapore's Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva and Mr Benjamin Jeyaraj William as Singapore's Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic. They will assume post on 9 September 2007 and 1 October 2007 respectively.

Ms Tan joined the Foreign Service in 1985. She served in the Singapore Embassy in Paris from 1989 to 1992, and the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York as Deputy Permanent Representative from 1997 to 1999. At the Ministry HQ, she held various appointments including Director of Human Resource from 1999 to 2001, and Director of Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate II from 2001 to 2003. She was Singapore's Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from February 2004 to August 2007.

Ms Tan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (History) (Honours) from the University of London, United Kingdom. She also has a Master of Science in European Studies (with Distinction) from the University of London, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom.

Mr William joined the Foreign Service in 1981. He served in the Singapore High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan from 1988 to 1990, Singapore Embassy in Manila from 1990 to 1993 and the Singapore Embassy in Washington as Deputy Chief of Mission from 1997 to 2000. From December 2002 to January 2004, Mr William was the Director-General for ASEAN Singapore, and was appointed Director of Consular Directorate from February 2004 to August 2007.

Mr William graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Economics) (Honours II Upper) from the National University of Singapore in 1986.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
29 AUGUST 2007
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BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Ms Karen Tan is currently Permanent Representative-designate to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

Born on 27 April 1964, Ms Tan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (History) (Honours) in 1985 from the University of London, United Kingdom. In 1993, she obtained a Master of Science in European Studies (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, United Kingdom.

Ms Tan joined the Foreign Service in 1985. She served as First Secretary in the Singapore Embassy in Paris (1989-1992), and Counsellor and subsequently Deputy Permanent Representative at the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (1997-1999). At the Ministry HQ, she held various appointments including Deputy Director, International Organisations (1994-1995) and Senior Deputy Director in the Policy Planning & Analysis Directorate IV (1996). She became Director of Human Resource from 1999 to 2001. She was appointed Director of Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate II from 2001 to 2003. She was Singapore's Ambassador to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from February 2004 to August 2007.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY

Mr Benjamin Jeyaraj William is currently Ambassador-designate to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Mr William graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Economics) (Hons) Class II Upper in 1986 from the National University of Singapore.

Mr William joined the Foreign Service in October 1981 and was attached to the Regional and Economics Department of the Ministry. He served as Country Officer for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific from 1986 to 1988. He then served as First Secretary in the Singapore High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan from 1988 to 1990 and later as First Secretary in the Singapore Embassy in Manila from 1990 to 1993.

In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr William held the post of Assistant Director and subsequently Senior Assistant Director in the Management and Personnel Directorate from 1993 to 1995. He served as its Deputy Director from 1994 to 1995. Between 1995 and 1997, he served as Deputy Director in the ASEAN Directorate. He was subsequently appointed as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Singapore Embassy in Washington where he served from 1997 to 2000. On his return to Ministry HQ, he was appointed Senior Deputy Director at the Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate II covering North America and Europe, from 2000 to 2002. Mr William was Director-General for ASEAN Singapore from December 2002 to January 2004 and concurrently Director of Consular Directorate from 1 to 27 December 2002. He was appointed Director of Consular Directorate from February 2004 to August 2007.

Mr William is married to Angelin Paul and they have two children.
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